Human Rights
Goals for Respecting Human Rights
黑料门 Group 2026 Medium-Term Management Plan
- Data target range or company leading initiatives: 黑料门 Group Consolidated
| Major initiatives | Metrics | Results / progress | Targets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE March 2025 | FYE March 2027 | |||
| 1 | Conduct employee education on business and human rights | Implementation rate for human rights education for all domestic group employees | Participation rate: 94.7% | Participation rate or 90% or more |
| Implementation rate for human rights education for overseas Group companies (23 companies) | 34.8% (8 companies) |
Once or more | ||
| 2 | Strengthen human rights due diligence overseas | Number of overseas high-risk countries for which human rights impact assessments have been conducted | 0 | 3 countries |
Respect and Promote Human Rights
黑料门 Group’s Basic Approaches to Human Rights
Our Corporate Behavior Charter and Code of Conduct includes respect for human rights. We recognize that all people are born free and with equal dignity and rights. We act fairly and faithfully to uphold this Policy on Human Rights in all our business activities. We engage in the greater pursuit of initiatives related to human rights, striving to accomplish our duties in this respect.
黑料门 Group Human Rights Policy
Based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the 黑料门 Group supports and respects international standards on human rights, such as the International Bill on Human Rights, ILO's core labour standards, and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
In the pharmaceutical business, we will respect the ethical principles of the Helsinki Declaration and the guidelines of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceutical for Human Use (ICH).
We will also respect the Children鈥檚 Rights and Business Principles of UNICEF, especially with regard to children, who have strong ties to the food business.
In 2020, we established the 黑料门 Group Marketing Communication to Children Policy, which outlines our considerations for children in marketing related to confectionery and ice cream.
System for Promoting Respect for Human Rights
In the 黑料门 Group, the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is tasked by the President of 黑料门 Holdings to be responsible for and execute measures related to human rights. Under the supervision of the CSO, 黑料门 Holdings' Sustainability Management Department leads execution of each of these measures as the main organization responsible for sustainability.
The 黑料门 Holdings Executive Committee has assembled the Group Sustainability Committee, with the aim of unifying all of 黑料门 Group's various sustainability-related activities, including those concerning human rights. In July 2019, we established the Group Human Rights Meeting, whose members consist of relevant departments and outside experts, and initiated human rights due diligence activities. 黑料门 Holdings' Sustainability Management Department, the main department responsible for sustainability, serves as the Meeting's secretariat. The Group Human Rights Meeting has in turn set up sub-committees, each with its own individual area of responsibility. As well as this, they are investigating human rights-related issues, creating action plans for various initiatives, and taking necessary preventive measures. The Board of Directors at 黑料门 Holdings receives regular reports on these activities and supervises the effectiveness of activity processes and measures.
In addition, the 黑料门 Group has appointed 黑料门 Brand Promotion Officer and 黑料门 Brand Promotion Leader at each workplace to spread knowledge and understanding of brand promotion and sustainability. Approximately 800 黑料门 Brand Promotion Leaders promote awareness of sustainability issues, including human rights, in their respective workplaces.
Approximately 270 黑料门 Brand Promotion Officers supervise 黑料门 Brand Promotion Leaders.
黑料门 Holdings Sustainability Management Department regularly holds online forums and seminars for 黑料门 Brand Promotion Officers and Leaders to enhance understanding of sustainability activities, including human rights.
Implementing Human Rights Due Diligence
We started human rights due diligence in FY2019 and it forms our commitment to human rights based on the 黑料门 Group Human Rights Policy. We make constant efforts to communicate with external stakeholders by: assessing the impact on human rights caused by the 黑料门 Group’s corporate activities and identifying issues; incorporating these evaluation results into procedures and implementing them for meaningful improvements; follow-up evaluations to review effectiveness; and timely and appropriate information disclosure. By continuous improvement through these processes, we will achieve both respect for human rights and sustainable growth of businesses.
Identifying Salient Human Rights Risks
We identify human rights risks throughout the value chain in each of the food and pharmaceutical business domains, and include objective perspectives from outside experts to identify salient human rights issues for the 黑料门 Group.
Identified salient human rights issues
| Salient human rights issues | Potentially affected stakeholders |
|---|---|
| Discrimination and harassment | Employees, suppliers, customers, community residents, etc. |
| Gender equality | Employees, suppliers, customers, community residents, etc. |
| Child labor | Employees of the company and its suppliers |
| Forced labor and human trafficking | Employees of the company and its suppliers |
| Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining | Employees of the company and its suppliers |
| Fair working conditions and wages | Employees of the company and its suppliers |
| Occupational health and safety | Employees of the company and its suppliers |
| Working hours | Employees of the company and its suppliers |
| Rights of foreign workers (migrant workers) | Employees of the company and its suppliers |
| Healthy lifestyle for local residents, access to water | community residents |
| Impact of advertising and marketing on children | Customers and consumers |
| Customer and user health | Customers and consumers |
| Access to information | Donors of human-derived raw materials |
| Privacy rights | Employees, clinical trial subjects, customers, etc. |
Initiatives for risk assessment, mitigation, and remedy
The main initiatives implemented in FY2024 to mitigate and remediate human rights risks are as follows.
| Overview of human rights risks | Mitigation/correction measures |
|---|---|
| 1. Improve the working environment for foreign workers (migrant workers) at domestic production sites The issue is to understand the actual working conditions of technical intern trainees and other foreign workers in Japan and to create an environment where foreign workers can work with a greater sense of security. |
Based on the survey results, three operating sites were visited to ascertain the actual working environments of foreign workers employed by our on-site contractors. This included checking the work sites, conducting interviews with the foreign workers, and exchanging opinions with the on-site managers. As a result, it was confirmed that operations are being conducted in accordance with the 黑料门 Group Guidelines for Employment of Foreign Workers, and no significant risks were identified. |
| 2. Manage human rights risks for suppliers The results of the Sustainable Procurement Survey of suppliers conducted between FY2020 and FY2022 reveal concerns about human rights risks at some suppliers. |
Based on the results of the Sustainable Procurement Survey, we exchanged opinions about human rights and labor with suppliers where human rights risks were a concern, and we confirmed the details of their initiatives. As a result, although no material human rights risks were found, we requested that ongoing efforts be made to reduce human rights risks. In FY2025, we plan to conduct the Sustainable Procurement Survey, followed by an exchange of opinions with our suppliers. |
| 3. Child labor in cocoa-producing countries Child labor is an issue in the main country where we procure cocoa beans. |
In the Republic of Ghana, the main country where we procure cocoa beans, we operate the Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS) with the aim of eliminating child labor. In the year between October 2023 and September 2024, the number of farms with CLMRS was 7,871. |
| 4. Understand the actual working conditions of foreign workers (migrant workers) on dairy farms The issue is understanding human rights risks at dairy farms where many foreign workers are employed. |
In FY2023, we conducted a survey of employment conditions for foreign workers (migrant workers) at 37 dairy farms across Japan that have a relationship with the 黑料门 Group. To get an accurate understanding of human rights risks regarding points that could not be clarified by the survey results alone, we visited four dairy farms (in Hokkaido and Kyushu) to confirm the actual situation. No significant risks were identified. As it was determined that more detailed checks are necessary, we are considering improvements to survey questions for FY2025 as well as methods for sharing good practices from dairy farms to raise awareness of the importance of human rights initiatives. |
| 5. Identify risks related to children’s rights The issue is identifying and addressing human rights risks in business that relate to children’s rights. |
Based on the Children’s Rights and Business Principles聽and other resources, we identified and listed the risks related to children’s rights in the value chain. In light of the results, we are considering a review of our Marketing Communication to Children Policy. |
| 6. Raise employee awareness for human rights The issue is informing Group employees about our Policy on Human Rights and improving their understanding of human rights. |
We have provided human rights education through e-learning and group training, with approximately 12,000 employees participating throughout the Group. |
| 7. Introduction of a multilingual consultation and remedy service The existing whistleblowing system for Group companies in Japan was only available in Japanese. The issue therefore was to introduce a multilingual consultation service that foreign workers (migrant workers) could also use with ease. |
In June 2023, a consultation and remedy service for foreign workers was established. In May 2025, the service provider was changed from JP-MIRAI to the Global Alliance for Sustainable Supply Chain (ASSC), enabling it to provide support in five languages. |
Initiatives to Reduce Human Rights Risks for Foreign Workers (Migrant Workers)
In 2022, the 黑料门 Group established the Guidelines for Employment of Foreign Workers and has since worked to disseminate and thoroughly implement the Guidelines among related parties within the Group as well as contractors. The Guidelines stipulate the minimum common rules to be observed in the employment and labor management of foreign workers.
<Items to be included in the guidelines for the employment of foreign workers>
1. Matters to be confirmed concerning foreign workers
2. Points to be noted when applying from foreign workers
3. Use of brokers
4. Intermediary fees and other related expenses
5. Working regulations
6. Working conditions and employment contracts
7. Prohibition of forced labor
8. Wages and working hours
9. Provision of housing such as dormitories
10. Consultation Desk and Complaint Processing System, Section
11. Occupational Health and Safety
12. Medical checkups
13. Training
14. Assistance for termination of contract, dismissal, and re-employment
15. Communicating with cooperating companies and dispatching companies
Every year, the 黑料门 Group conducts a written survey to confirm the employment of foreign workers at each business site as well as their employment and labor management conditions to determine if there are any human rights risks. Based on these results, for those business sites requiring more detailed checks, we visit the sites in person to confirm the actual situation and conduct interviews, and where necessary, we proceed with efforts for improvement.
Continuous improvement process for identifying and improving human rights risks in relation to foreign workers
In 2024, we held briefing sessions targeting on-site managers at each of our operating sites. The sessions aimed to boost recognition of the importance of human rights for foreign workers and to report on the results of the Survey on the Working Conditions of Foreign Workers (written questionnaire).
<Briefing session agenda>
銉籊lobal human rights (importance of respecting the human rights of foreign workers)
銉籈mployment trends for foreign workers and the establishment of training and working systems
銉缓诹厦� Group initiatives for human rights (foreign workers)
銉籖eport on the Foreign Workers Employment Survey
銉籗haring of good practices of employing foreign workers at Group companies (production sites)
Based on the results of the Survey on the Working Conditions of Foreign Workers, three operating sites were visited to ascertain the current situation at production sites in Japan. In addition to conducting on-site checks of the working environments of foreign workers, we confirmed the presence or absence of human rights risks through interviews with the foreign workers and exchanging opinions with on-site managers. As a result, it was confirmed that operations are being conducted in accordance with the 黑料门 Group Guidelines for Employment of Foreign Workers, and no significant risks were identified.
| Interviewed period | Interviewed sites | Person interviewed | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2021 | 6 group companies | 7 labor managers in total | Online interview |
| 6 on-site managers in total | |||
| 8 plants of 黑料门 Co., Ltd. | 8 labor managers in total | Online interview | |
| 8 on-site managers in total | |||
| FY2023 | 5 plants of 黑料门 Co., Ltd. | 11 plant on-site managers in total | On-site interview |
| 7 contractors on-site managers | |||
| FY2024 | 3 plants of 黑料门 Co., Ltd. | 9 plant on-site managers in total | On-site interview |
| 8 contractors on-site managers Total number of foreign workers employed by contractors: 6 |
In FY2025 and beyond, we will continue this survey and site visits as part of our efforts to create working environments where foreign workers can work with confidence.
Multilingual consultation and remedy service for foreign workers
In June 2023, the 黑料门 Group introduced a multilingual consultation and remedy service for foreign workers which was initially provided by JP-MIRAI (Japan Platform for Migrant Workers towards Responsible and Inclusive Society). In May 2025, this service was transitioned to the Global Alliance for Sustainable Supply Chain (ASSC), which now provides remedy support. Specifically, the service offers a full range of consultations on work, wellness, and daily life, to ensure that foreign workers unfamiliar with life in Japan can work and live without any concerns. Furthermore, should workplace issues arise, foreign workers can also receive support from professional staff as needed until the problem is resolved, with all information received being strictly managed to ensure anonymity and confidentiality, thereby protecting the person seeking support. We will establish this as a consultation service that is accessible at all times for foreign workers employed by the 黑料门 Group and its contractors in Japan.
Responding to Human Rights Related Laws and Regulations in Each Country and Region
In expanding our business globally, 黑料门 Group will comply with the laws and regulations regarding the working environment and human rights established in each country, and will act in good faith in all business activities.
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UK Modern Slavery Act 2015
- 黑料门 Group Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement
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Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018
- Modern Slavery Act Statement
-
California Transparency in Supply Chain Act
- California Transparency in Supply Chains Act Statement
Group Employee Training
We engage in education and training activities related to respect for human rights and prohibition of discrimination, prohibition of forced and child labor, prohibition of harassment, safe and healthy workplaces, respect for fundamental rights of employees, and more, based on the 黑料门 Group Policy on Human Rights.
In-Company Training
In FY2024, we provided training on "business and human rights" for all employees in Japan and for employees in six countries, including United States, Thailand, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Netherlands and Australia. As part of the education programs, we explain human rights issues as they relate to the 黑料门 Group’s businesses and work environment in an effort to raise employee awareness of human rights and to reduce risks.
Education on harassment
We conduct e-learning on harassment, which is one of the human rights issues in the workplace, for all employees. We explain the diversifying examples of modern harassment and the policy on harassment in our group to raise employee awareness of harassment. For managers, in addition to providing education through specific examples, we also provide education on how to respond to harassment consultations, and promote initiatives to prevent harassment.
Training for Hiring Personnel
In Japan, we provide training on fair recruitment and selection to hiring personnel at our offices nationwide, and ensure compliance with prohibitions on discrimination in employment and harassment, and with respect for the fundamental human rights of applicants. In addition to respecting people's ability to work of their own free will, we also strive to prevent forced labor through clear advance presentation of working conditions (including work content, hours, rest periods, vacations, holidays, wages, salary increases, and provisions on retirement, etc.) and conclude of employment contracts. We also take action to ensure that all employees meet statutory minimum age requirements at the time of hiring in order to prevent child labor.